Category Archives: PhD Postings

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University and the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invite applications for a postdoctoral research position under the supervision of Professors Paul Scholz (York), Ziggy Pleunis (UvA, ASTRON) and Jason Hessels (McGill, UvA, ASTRON). This is a 3-year position, with the successful applicant employed at York for the first 1.5 years and the following 1.5 years at UvA. The position is supported in part by York University’s Global Research Excellence Initiative, which aims to foster impactful global research networks. The position is available immediately, with a flexible start date.

Both research groups at the UvA and York University are focused on the study of fast radio bursts (FRBs), mysterious flashes of radio waves of millisecond or shorter duration coming from far outside of our Galaxy. The origins of FRBs remain elusive, but a key discriminator between models is the environments from which they arise. While an ~arcsecond localization allows for the unambiguous association with a host galaxy, a subarcsecond localization allows for pinpointing FRBs to within their host galaxy and the association with stellar populations. The current world’s best FRB detector, the CHIME telescope, was recently upgraded to a very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) experiment by the addition of three Outrigger stations. Building on the technology developed for CHIME, we are now constructing the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector (CHORD), which will also have two Outrigger sites.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who is excited about driving the VLBI localization of FRBs with CHORD and its outrigger stations and using the large samples of detected FRBs and their milliarcsecond localizations from both CHIME and CHORD in order to elucidate the nature of FRBs and use them as probes to study the wider Universe. There will be opportunities to contribute to telescope commissioning, which may include visits to telescope sites. You’ll also benefit from the embedding in the AstroFlash research group, which has been leading FRB localizations at mas scales with the European VLBI Network through the PRECISE project.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the CHIME/FRB and CHORD collaborations and make use of the data produced by CHIME, CHORD, and their Outrigger telescopes.

Requirements:

• a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics or a related field
• demonstrated record of related research experience
• Experience in very-long baseline interferometry is an asset

Compensation and Salary:

At York:

• Salary of $80,000 CAD per year
• For information on the extended health benefits available to York postdoctoral researchers see here: https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/wp-content/uploads/sites/184/2024/08/pdv-health-care-spending-account-information-sheet.pdf
• International candidates may refer to the Immigration & Relocation website for further information on immigration requirements: https://www.yorku.ca/hr/immigration-relocation/.

At UvA:

Upon satisfactory performance at York, we offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 18 months, with a salary of €3546 to €5538 (scale 10) gross per month.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and stimulating environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave with 100% salary
• partly paid parental leave
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch

For more information about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here: https://www.uva.nl/en/faculty/faculty-of-science/working-at-the-faculty/working-at-the-faculty-of-science.html.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit the following information in a single PDF file:

• a CV
• a list of publications
• a brief statement of past and current research and your scientific interests (no more than 3 pages, including references)
• Two letters of references to be sent via email to pscholz@yorku.ca by May 8, 2026

Completed applications should be sent electronically to pscholz@yorku.ca by May 8, 2026.

If you have any questions about the position or require additional information please contact Paul Scholz (pscholz@yorku.ca) and/or Ziggy Pleunis (z.pleunis@uva.nl).

Institution

University of Toronto

Department

Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA)

Expected Start Date

October, 2026

Duration

3 Years

Work Arrangement

In-Person

In-Person Location(s)

Toronto ON Canada

The University of Toronto invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join a research program focused on physics-based modeling and data-driven inference of exoplanets, with an emphasis on planetary interiors, atmospheres, and evolution. The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an international effort to develop next-generation computational frameworks that connect physical models with limited observations. Research topics may span a range of topics, including mitigation of stellar activity in M dwarf systems for transiting atmosphere studies, as well as planetary interiors and evolution across diverse regimes, focusing on small rocky planets and sub-Neptune-sized exoplanets.

Description of duties

• Build and run physics-based models of exoplanet interiors and atmospheres, including linking structure, composition, and thermal evolution.
• Design and execute large model grids and ensembles to explore how observable properties depend on underlying planetary parameters.
• Develop and apply inference frameworks that connect models to data, extracting constraints from sparse, noisy, and heterogeneous observations.
• Implement and maintain modular, well-documented code that can be extended by collaborators and reused across projects.
• Work closely with observers to interpret current datasets (e.g., JWST) and to define model predictions that inform future observations.
• Compare model outputs directly to data, identify mismatches, and iterate on models to improve physical realism and predictive power.
• Contribute to team discussions, papers, and collaborative projects that bridge modeling and observation.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in astrophysics, planetary science, or a related field.
• Strong background in computational modeling and/or statistical inference, with demonstrated experience in scientific programming.
• Experience with planetary interiors, atmospheric modeling, or related physical systems is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with machine learning or emulator-based approaches for accelerating model evaluation is considered an asset.
• Experience working with and managing large observational or simulated datasets, including data pipelines or analysis workflows.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Compensation

An annual salary of $80,000, plus benefits. Funds will be available for travel and other research expenses.

Please note that if the minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement are higher than rates stated in this posting, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement will take precedence.

Application Instructions

Applicants will be asked to submit a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests and arrange for three letters of recommendation.

We only accept electronic submissions. Please send applications to seager@cita.utoronto.ca .

The deadline for applications and all letters of recommendation is April 30, 2026.

Please contact seager@cita.utoronto.ca for inquiries.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

Institution

University of Toronto

Department

Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and Department of Chemistry

Expected Start Date

October, 2026

Duration

3 Years

Work Arrangement

In-Person

In-Person Location(s)

Toronto ON Canada

The University of Toronto invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join a research program in astrobiology, with a focus on organic chemistry. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory studies or chemical computational modeling or sensor development aimed at understanding the formation, stability, and behavior of organic molecules in chemically extreme environments. Research directions are broad and may include biomolecule stability in concentrated sulfuric acid, chemistry in ionic liquids, lipid and vesicle formation in water and non-water solvents, and alternative pathways for molecular assembly and energy storage.

Description of duties

• Carry out laboratory experiments or computational modeling on organic molecules in chemically extreme environments, including non-aqueous solvents such as ionic liquids and concentrated sulfuric acid.
• Design experiments that quantify molecular stability and identify degradation pathways (e.g., hydrolysis, oxidation, acid-catalyzed reactions) under controlled conditions of acidity, temperature, and concentration.
• Use and adapt analytical tools (e.g., NMR, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, circular dichroism) to measure chemical composition, structural changes, and reaction products in systems where standard protocols are not directly applicable.
• Construct and study lipid and vesicle systems, including testing membrane formation, growth, and persistence in defined solvent environments with controlled composition and water activity.
• Design, build, and test miniature molecular sensors, including selecting or engineering receptor materials (e.g., polymers or functionalized surfaces) and evaluating sensor response, sensitivity, and selectivity to target molecules.
• Quantitatively analyze data to determine reaction rates, stability limits, product distributions, and sensor performance metrics, and relate these to specific planetary conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, and composition of Venus cloud layers).
• Collaborate with team members and contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and joint research efforts.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, planetary science, or a related field.
• Strong background in organic chemistry and/or physical chemistry, chemical physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated strength in experimental design and laboratory work and/or experience developing computational or theoretical models.

One or more of the following

• Experience with lipids, membranes, or vesicle systems and/or experience in molecular modeling or simulation of chemical systems.
• Experience with one or more advanced characterization techniques, such as: solution or solid-state NMR, mass spectrometry, confocal microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), infrared (IR) or Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis or fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), or dynamic light scattering (DLS); and/or experience with computational chemistry methods (e.g., ab initio, DFT, molecular dynamics).
• Experience working with complex chemical mixtures or heterogeneous systems and/or experience with high-dimensional parameter spaces or model ensembles.
• Experience with quantitative analysis or kinetic measurements (e.g., reaction rates, stability studies) and/or experience with statistical inference, data-driven modeling, or AI-driven workflows.
• Experience with or interest in molecular sensor development, including materials, receptor design, or signal transduction methods and/or experience in instrumentation or device development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Compensation

An annual salary of $80,000, plus benefits. Funds will be available for travel and other research expenses.

Please note that if the minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement are higher than rates stated in this posting, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement will take precedence.

Application Instructions

Applicants will be asked to submit a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests and arrange for three letters of recommendation.

We only accept electronic submissions. Please send applications to seager@cita.utoronto.ca .

The deadline for applications and all letters of recommendation is April 30, 2026.

Please contact seager@cita.utoronto.ca for inquiries.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.